Goodbye to endless reposts? Threads introduces new quoting options for all its members.

Now, every user of Threads has the capability to decide who can quote their messages. This enhancement complements an existing functionality that enables users of Threads to select who may respond to their messages (with competing platforms such as X and Bluesky offering analogous features for replies). Threads disclosed its plans to introduce quoting restrictions the previous month, and as of last evening, Adam Mosseri — the head of both Threads and Instagram under the Meta umbrella — declared this tool as accessible to everyone.

Mosseri expressed his optimism that this update will contribute to maintaining Threads as an uplifting community and empower users with greater command over their interactions.

By Saturday morning, this new feature to restrict quotes was not visible when accessing Threads via a desktop web browser. However, it was operational within the Threads mobile application. It seems quote and reply options are combined into one menu, enabling users to open discussions to "Anyone," or narrow it down to "Profiles you follow" or "Mentioned only." With these adjustments, it becomes challenging for individuals to misuse quotes for the purpose of ridiculing others.

"But I find value in pointing out folly!" you might argue. "It's important for me to highlight when someone across X/Threads/Bluesky/Mastodon shares something foolish, hurtful, or senseless."

Indeed, witnessing a sharp critique can be entertaining when it's not aimed at oneself. Thankfully, the practice of capturing and disseminating someone's message while critiquing its content remains possible. This merely reduces the chance that a chain of critiques will propel the original post into viral status.

Moreover, this implies that, in theory, the individual who made the original post can continue scrolling, blissfully ignorant of any harsh commentary circulating online about them.